For the first time in Griffin’s 181-year history, city employees have certified a plan to promote diversity and inclusion within its workforce.
The Employee Diversity Inclusion Team, or EDIT, was formed in September 2020 after cities across the nation demanded attention for institutional and systemic racism and violence against Black people. As tensions rose in Griffin, it became clear that city leaders could benefit from participating in a facilitated discussion about race.
Former City Manager Kenny Smith contacted the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development through the Archway Partnership, which Griffin-Spalding County has been a community of since 2015. Griffin Mayor Douglas Hollberg described the intensive two-day workshop as highly emotional — but worth it.
“I’m just proud that our city employees were able to come together and discuss the hard issues that our organization faces and being open to the idea of just having a conversation, a simple conversation about what’s right, and what’s wrong, and how we can be better,” said Hollberg, a self-described “white, middle-aged male.” Other city leaders who want to make changes, he said, can start by being supportive and allowing the dialogue to happen.
“If we focus on being humble, serving others and loving everybody, no matter what our differences are, our communities will be better in the long run,” Hollberg said.
Jessica O’Connor, who became Griffin’s first female city manager in April, recalls workshop participants being asked tough questions, such as whether they’ve ever treated someone differently because of their skin color.
“It was sort of eye opening, and we realized that there are so many cultural differences,” said O’Connor. “And so, we didn’t know how our community was really addressing that amongst each other.”
These conversations birthed EDIT, which consists of nine employee volunteer participants across different departments. The team used a survey to outline goals such as adopting a diversity and inclusion statement, implementing training programs, reviewing hiring practices and creating the “ONE Griffin” brand campaign.
The city also commissioned a downtown mural honoring Griffin native Janet Harmon Bragg, the first Black woman to hold a commercial pilot’s license. It was designed by community partner Brian Keith Miller, who has been the city’s citizen engagement specialist for six years.
“We’re not too far removed from a really ugly time in America’s history,” Miller said, adding that his mother was a student when the school system integrated in Griffin. He believes EDIT can be proactive about meeting underserved needs, like providing Spanish-speaking assistance.
“I think when I was hired, they thought I was a good person for the job, but it was really an afterthought in terms of me being a minority and what that would mean to our community,” Miller said. “(EDIT) is just a way to be more intentional about those things, and a way for employees to have more conversations about what’s important to them, and how we as a city, as a community and as an employer can meet people where they are.”
This article was originally featured in the September/October 2021 edition of Georgia’s Cities Magazine.